“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”

President John F. Kennedy

There’s something very special about Iliesa Delana. It’s not merely that he united the whole nation in celebration when he won the Pacific’s first Olympic Gold medal in London last year. It’s not just that ordinary Fijians come up to him wherever he goes, eager to shake his hand. It’s not just the modest way in which he comports himself in public, even as the Prime Minister handed him the keys to the house built for him in gratitude for his remarkable achievement. It isn’t even because he is such an inspiration to everyone and especially those younger Fijians with physical disabilities. Yes, all these qualities make Iliesa Delana a wonderful role model for our times. But the really special thing is that none of this matters as much to the man himself as his burning desire to do something lasting for his country. And not on the sporting field but in improving the lives of his fellow citizens.

Grateful nation, grateful athlete (Photo:Graham Davis)

A couple of weeks back, I had lunch with Iliesa in Suva and listened, deeply impressed, as he laid out an audacious plan. Soon, he’ll be officially launching an organisation called the Iliesa Delana Foundation – Friends of Fijians in Need. The idea is to tap the resources and commitment of ordinary people, government, small business and the nation’s corporations to do a lot more to tackle disadvantage in Fiji. And especially the plight of the many thousands of our fellow citizens who are still living below the poverty line.

Iliesa knows that changing their lives fundamentally for the better will be a far bigger challenge than vaulting over the pole to the cheers of 80-thousand people at the London Paralympics. But his ambition is to be more than just a sporting hero. As a disadvantaged person who overcame the odds, he wants to use his fame to try to convince others that no disadvantage is too great to overcome. And especially if Fijians work together as one.

I sat there riveted as Iliesa laid out his vision in the softly spoken way that has endeared him to the whole country: “ Winning in London was a big thing for me personally but it was just a sporting event. The main thing is to use my win to inspire other Fijians and make other people’s lives better. Too many Fijians are poor like I was when I was a kid. Too many people are struggling and we have to do a lot more to help them”, he said.

Julie Alexander with PM Voreqe Bainimarama (Photo:Graham Davis)

No argument there but how? That’s where Iliesa’s friendship with an equally altruistic Fijian entrepreneur comes in – someone who’s enjoyed a successful business career overseas but has returned home with the same passion to help others. Julie Alexander first approached Iliesa to support her campaign – since adopted by the Fiji Police and the Ministry of Youth and Sport – to discourage bullying in the nation’s schools. Then she organised a Christmas lunch for homeless people and the underprivileged in Suva’s Sukuna Park. That, in turn, attracted a number of Suva residents, including from the expatriate community, also keen to share the Christmas spirit with the less fortunate. “I was amazed at the number of people who turned up in the Park unannounced on Christmas Day carrying all sorts of food. They had sacrificed their own Christmases but actually regarded themselves as privileged to help others. That’s when I got the idea that Iliesa and I could perhaps turn this into something much bigger – to tap the spirit of many Fijians to help their fellow citizens and really do something to combat poverty”, Ms Alexander said.

And so the idea of The Iliesa Delana Foundation was born. “We’ve called it ‘Friends of Fijians in Need’ because that’s what we are. Those friends can be individuals, businesses, government departments, churches, NGOs, whatever. And those in need can be in need because a whole range of reasons. What unites us is a determination to tackle and overcome that need and improve the lives of the underprivileged”, Ms Alexander explains.

A range of projects are being considered, all with the aim of building sustainable livelihoods for those who need jobs or sustainable solutions to some of the underlying causes of poverty in Fiji. But the first priority has been to build a broad coalition of individuals, organisations and companies willing to dedicate time and resources to get the Foundation off the ground. “We want to hear from anyone else eager to help. All sorts of ideas are already on the table. And we already have commitments from a range of companies and individuals keen to be involved”, Ms Alexander said.

Home sweet home (Photo:Graham Davis)

The Fiji Sun has agreed to be the Foundation’s media partner and other companies are providing a range of services free of charge, such as the establishment of an internet website at www.iliesadelanafoundation.org. “We urge anyone with access to a computer to visit our site and consider joining us in making a difference. You can also contact me directly at julie@iliesadelana.com if you have any ideas that you want to discuss”.

The Foundation already has two trustees – the former High Court judge Nazhat Shameem and accountant Anthony Ho. “We’re deeply grateful to have the services of these two highly respected Fijians and are hoping to get others to join them”, Ms Alexander said. The Foundation is also inviting members of the public to a meeting at the Royal Suva yacht Club at 10.30 am this morning ( Fri Feb 1st).

For Iliesa, the formation of the Foundation that bears his name has come at a busy time. Today, he begins moving into his new home – the present from the Government and people of Fiji to celebrate his triumph. And he’s begun training in earnest for the next “mountain” that he has set his sights on after London – the Paralympic World Championships in Toulon, France, in July. “I really can’t find words to express the gratitude I feel for the honour of representing my country and being given such a beautiful home. But it’s not enough to just sit back and enjoy it. I want to give something back to Fiji. For me, that’s the most important thing of all”.

7 Comments

Thats the spirit. I hope those corrupt politicians who are only interested in lining their pockets read this article over and over till they get it through their thick skulls. This is exactly what the new Fiji is all about. All the best Iliesa and Julie. God bless you.

What a wonderful vision, from a wonderful human being. I wish Iliesa, Julie and their foundation all the very best of success. A few weeks prior to Iliesa’s Induction into the FASANOC Sports Hall of Fame, my friends in FASANOC asked if I could write a poetry tribute to Iliesa, which of course I was thrilled to do. The poem was framed. It was read then presented to Iliesa at the Dinner on 25 January 2013. Sadly, I was unable to be there, but I am told a great night was had by all. For those who may want to read it, here you are:

Tribute to Iliesa Delana

(Presented to Iliesa at The FASANOC Sports Hall of Fame
Induction Dinner held in Suva on Friday 25th January, 2013)

This poem’s for Iliesa, modest champion and friend
Whose deeds are inspirational, on that you can depend.
His story’s now a legend that forever will be told:
The London Paralympics brought him glory, fame and gold.

Who’d think a less advantaged boy could conquer all before him?
With quiet resolve he forged ahead, though many would ignore him.
He battled on and off the track, life’s troubles to confront,
With body, mind and spirit focused firmly on the hunt.

A mighty leap, an act of faith for family, God and nation,
He summonsed courage, gave his all, then prayed in dedication.
The name “Delana” lit up scoreboards blazing in the sky,
He looked towards the heavens, humbly thanking God on high.

Returning home, our Iliesa triggered great emotion:
In crowded streets the people flocked, expressing their devotion.
The troops saluted, leaders spoke, all Fiji stood as one –
A nation’s pride on show to welcome home a favourite son.

So here tonight, your family, friends and peers all celebrate,
While fittingly your name is placed forever on the slate
Of Fiji’s great achievers in this hallowed Hall of Fame.
Iliesa, we applaud you, long and healthy may you reign.

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ABOUT GRUBSHEET

Grubsheet Feejee is the blogsite of Graham Davis, a dual Fijian-Australian national working as a media and communications specialist in both countries and in other parts of the Asia Pacific.

Graham has had a four decade-long career in the mainstream media in Britain, Australia and Fiji. He has reported for the BBC, ABC, SBS and the Nine and Seven Networks and has written for a range of newspapers and magazines in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. His multiple awards include Walkley and Logie Awards in Australia and a New York Festivals Medal in the United States.

More recently, Graham has been a consultant to the GeoPolitical Solutions division of the global communications company, Qorvis-MSLGROUP, which represents a range of sovereign clients around the world. Part of his brief is to assist the Fijian Government with its program to introduce the first genuine democracy in the nation’s history in 2014.

Graham is broadly supportive of the Bainimarama Government's reform agenda but invites comments from people of all political persuasions. Please don't label your return volley "anonymous". Give yourself a name or pseudonym so that readers can track your progress over time.

Many of these postings have appeared in mainstream newspapers such as The Australian and the Fiji Sun – where Graham has been a columnist - and on other websites, including newmatilda.com and Pacific Scoop NZ.

Feejee is the original name for Fiji - a derivative of the indigenous Viti and the Tongan Fisi - and was widely used until the late 19th century.